Posted by Rich McClear on September 29, 2009 at 14:46:30:
In Reply to: Re: Air America and WWRL Extend Agreement posted by Lorenzo on September 29, 2009 at 13:34:35:
Having managed an Air America affiliate in Alaska for several years, I can tell you it is something else, a few things else, actually.
The liberals approached it from a political rather than entertainment point of view. Al Franken can be funny but, I think his motivation was more political. Good talk radio needs to be, first, entertainment, and while Air America had its entertaining moments, they were not enough to carry the format.
Secondly, Liberals generally want more than one side, that is one of the definitions of "Liberal." Air America didn't do that. I had lots of liberals tell me "we're glad you're there but I am going back to NPR."
And, third, there is NPR, which, in its balance and thoughtfulness, appeals to the core liberal audience, and it is a huge audience.
KGO in San Francisco is a mainstream talk radio station that has successful left leaning hosts, but they are entertainers first, and they are local. I have often wondered if a KGO could work in New York, local talk reflecting the community, which is liberal, but does not brand itself as such.